I was heartbroken after hearing Manami’s diagnosis, but after yesterday I can now say I’m ok. Better than ever in fact. Now, I only want to spend as much time as possible with her.

Which is why I’m standing at her door as I hear her run down the stairs. “Sorry!” She bursts through her front door and yells into her house that she is heading out. “Come on!” She whisks me away and we head off.

We planned most days for the remainder of the three weeks. Some were filled with us going to places, while others were just us spending time together at home.

Today had a mixed conclusion. Manami begged me to help clean my room. I almost resisted, but then she hit the video call button on her phone. And once the same beautiful face that’s beside me now came across, it was impossible to say no.

I dreaded it. My room should have a danger sign outside because of the state it’s in.

Manami made cleaning fun. Tossing things at me and mocking me after finding my hidden stash.

“Wow.” I said as I looked at my sparkling room with plenty of walking space. “You’re amazing at this.”

“No, you’re just terrible at it.” She hopped on my bed and crossed her legs as she admired her work. Of course, I sat down beside her. “Do you have a shift today?”

“No, I’m taking the week off for the last week as well.”

“Good, I can keep you all to myself.”

“Myo! I’m heading out!” My mom yelled from downstairs.

“Ok mom, see you later!” I replied. After we heard her car take off, Manami pulled my head and kissed me.

The sudden pull forced me above her as she lay down on my bed. An unparalleled beauty staring at me with tempting eyes and taking heavy breaths. I caressed her face and stole another kiss.

“Myo.” She whispered. “If you’re worried about hurting me, don’t be.”

She pulls me in for another kiss but doesn’t let me pull back this time by wrapping her legs around me. I didn’t mind. I wanted our lips to connect, our breathing to mix, and our bodies to touch.

We did our best to make the next two weeks as memorable as possible. Walks in the park, plenty of eating, we even visited the mainland once more although her parents came with us this time.

Some days, Toro and Catalina would be with us. Catalina loved making clothes for her star model, making her twirl and going to war with me to see who could shower her with more compliments.

Every day was beautiful. The world itself was on our side as the weather never failed us.

My favorite moments were the times we spent alone sitting side by side. It could be in the park, on the beach, or in our rooms. If I had to pick, it would be our rooms for no particular reason.

The last week arrived. Manami no longer had the strength to walk further than the distance between her room and the bathroom.

But that didn’t stop us, I zipped her around the island on a wheelchair to places she may not have been. She always prepared food for me and somehow seemed to be in a more positive mood than before.

It was there. The looming dread of the day that was to come, but we never stopped smiling. We never stopped laughing. I did my best to make her smile, and she reciprocated. Telling me stories of her childhood, how much she liked me even before I asked her out, and many more that she just wanted me to hear.

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The day before the last.

Toro and Catalina spent the entire day with us. We visited school by sneaking inside and rushing Manami through the hallways. She carved an M on her desk and visited the spot where I asked her out for the first time.

“I was so nervous.” She said. She also repeated the line I used which gave Toro and Catalina a good laugh.

We ended the day on the beach.

Toro helped Manami onto my back. Manami loves the beach, and the ocean in general. Her fondest memories with her parents were the times they took boat rides. But after her initial diagnosis, they stopped visiting all together.

“It’s so pretty.” She whispered with a weak smile. No less beautiful than ever before.

“You’re right.” I said as I looked at her.

“Look at the ocean silly.” She giggled. “Tomorrow, we’re going on a boat ride… Toro, Catalina, thank you for everything.”

Catalina walked over and grabbed Manami’s hand. “Can I see you off?” She said while holding back her tears.

“If you want. Please don’t feel like you have to.”

“I want to.”

“Ok. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

The final day.

Manami’s dad still owned his cabin boat from her childhood. He fixed it up after hearing her request. Manami had decided after she heard her final diagnosis.

The time frame isn’t absolute. It’s the best guess. But Manami’s eyes began to look out into the distance, farther and farther every day that passed. And as the third week came, her smile never faded as she told us what day to set sail.

Toro and Catalina met us at the pier.

Catalina hugged Manami, her tears uncontrollable.

“Catalina, take care, ok? And make sure you and Toro live happily together.”

Catalina nodded. “Thank you, Manami. I’ll never forget you.”

Toro lowered his head and Manami patted it. “Thank you for being such a good friend to Myo. Please keep on taking care of him, and I wish you the best in your sports career.”

“Thank you, Manami, for all you’ve done for Myo. Thank you so much.” Even giants cry.

The cabin boat is like Pablo’s. It has a roofed seating area, and the front is large and spacious.

I sat out front as we set sail. Looking into the distant sea that never seemed to end. I didn’t want it to, hoping this boat could go on forever.

After we made some distance from the pier. The boat engine goes silent.

I could hear Manami and her family saying their goodbyes until her mom came outside to find me. “Can you get her now?” She muttered through her sobs.

I nod.

Manami waited for me inside the roofed area. She gave me a bright smile as I walked in, as if she had been saving her strength for it. After, she held her hands up and I picked her up.

She was lighter than ever, but I still walked out front with care in each step.

“I want to be as close as possible.” She said.

I sat down and rested her body above mine. She turned a little until she found a comfortable spot and rested her head above my heart. A slow and calm beat.

Her family walked to the front as well and watched over us.

“Myo.”

“Yea.” I looked into her eyes. No longer afraid to show my emotions. But even as tears rushed down my face, I smiled at her.

“Thank you for everything. I thought I didn’t deserve happiness, but you changed everything. You made me happy and showed me that I could enjoy life. Thank you so much.”

“Don’t thank me. If I had to, I would do it over and over again.”

“Kiss me.” We kiss. “Can I be selfish?”

“Of course, anything you ask.”

“Don’t ever forget me.”

“I won’t.”

“But I want you to move on and be happy, ok?”

I nod.

“Ok?”

“I will. I’ll never forget you and I’ll move on and be happy. I promise.”

Her smile widened. “One more thing. Hold me tight, like you never want to let me go.” I do as she asked, pulling her body as close to mine as possible. “Thank you, I’m no longer scared. Everyone, could you come closer.” Her family kneels beside us. “I love you all so much, thank you for staying by my side until the end.”

Her family responds with loving words through their sobs.

“Myo… I’m so happy to have met you. I’m so happy to have spent my happiest days with you. You saved me, I can never repay you for that. But I want you to know that you mean everything to me. That I can smile now because of you. That I… I.”

Manami looked into my eyes and smiled. She no longer held her tears back. But her smile was brighter than ever, and she reached to caress my face. I placed my hand over hers, hoping I could keep her touch for as long as possible.

Her touch was weak, but it filled me with joy. Her body was light, but it brought me comfort. Her face was as beautiful as the first day I saw her. My emotions were pouring from my eyes. I didn’t need to hold them back; she taught me to embrace them. She who saved my life. The most beautiful of them all, the kindest, the one I cherish most.

And as we look into each other’s eyes, smiling and at ease, as the light begins to fade from her eyes, I have to let her know. That I,

“I love you.”

Manami’s eyes light up and her smile widens. “I love you too.”